An application to build nine new homes on land already allocated for housing in Rossendale has been refused by the council.

B&E Boys applied to Rossendale Council in May seeking to build nine new homes on their own land at Heath Hill House in Booth Road, Stacksteads.

The site comprises land around Heath Hill House, and is currently occupied by a single bungalow which had been established as a mother and baby unit.

An earlier application for 14 houses at the site was withdrawn in October 2021.

Since then a new development plan by the council was adopted within which the site was formally allocated for housing.

B&E Boys proposed to build two two-bed detached bungalows, three four-bed detached homes, and four three-bed semi-detached homes on the site.

A design and access statement submitted with the proposals reads: “Each dwelling will have its own private and secure rear garden, which will incorporate hard landscaped patio areas, a lawn, space for a storage facility, and an area for refuse and recycling containers.

“Due to the nature of the levels across the site some garden areas will need to be tiered.

“Additional tree planting will be incorporated in front garden areas to soften the impact of the new development and to allow it to better blend into its setting.

“The existing vehicle access point off Booth Road will be upgraded to make it suitable for the number of units to be provided in the new development.

“A turning head is incorporated towards the end of the new road layout to permit vehicles entering the site to turn around prior to leaving.

“All new homes are provided with two parking spaces. Where possible these have been located at the side of the houses so as to minimise the impact on the street scene.”

However, the plans received dozens of objections, which raised concerns over the development failing to accord with the council’s local plan; the development having a harmful visual impact; a loss of privacy and light; detrimental impact on local wildlife and habitat; the presence of Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam near to site; the impact on public footpaths and access; and inadequate parking provision, amongst others.

A report to the planning department stated: “Overall, it is considered that the buildings proposed would have a poor relationship with each other and the surrounding built environment.

"The character of the proposed development is out of keeping with that of the local area and the development as a whole would fail to integrate well with the surrounding area as a result of inappropriate materials and inconsistent design.

“It is considered that the proposed development would unacceptably harm the amenity of existing residents in the local area and future occupants of the development through unacceptably harming the privacy some residents and future occupants would reasonably expect to enjoy.

“The development would fail to deliver sustainable development through not providing adequate opportunities for sustainable travel to and from the site, thereby resulting in an increased reliance on private vehicles.

“The proposal would not comply with the development plan and would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.

"There were no amendments to the scheme, or conditions which could reasonably have been imposed, which could have made the development acceptable and it was therefore not possible to approve the application.”

The plans were refused on September 15.